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Senators seek prison reform

A new study from the Platte Institute indicates Nebraska’s nine prisons are 40 percent over capacity.

Updated: 6:42 PM CST Feb 6, 2014

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Senators seek prison reform

A new study from the Platte Institute indicates Nebraska’s nine prisons are 40 percent over capacity.

Updated: 6:42 PM CST Feb 6, 2014

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Senators seek prison reform

A new study from the Platte Institute indicates Nebraska’s nine prisons are 40 percent over capacity.

Updated: 6:42 PM CST Feb 6, 2014

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WEBVTT A NEW STUDY FROM THE PLATTE INSTITUTE SAYS NEBRASKA'S NINE PRISON'S ARE ALREADY FORTY-PERCENT áOVER CAPACITY. THEY SAY THAT RATE WILL BE FOUR TIMES HIGHER BY THE YEAR 2020. NEW TONIGHT WE'RE LAYING OUT THE PRISON PROBLEMS AND IDEAS THAT COULD DRAMATICALLY CHANGE THE SYSTEM. NEWSWATCH 7'S ANDREW OZAKI IS IN LINCOLN WITH THE BIG STORY AT SIX. OVER CROWED... AND TOO MANY INMATES NOT GETTING THE HELP THEY NEED BEHIND BARS OR WHEN THEY ARE RELEASED.( Senator Brad Ashford: That is absolutely a recipe for disaster ) THAT'S WHY OMAHA SENATOR BRAD ASHFORD INTRODUCED TWO BILLS AIMESD AT CLEANING UP NEBRASKA'S PRISON SYSTEM. ONE CALLS FOR 1 TO 3 YEARS OF SUPERVISED RELEASE WITH ENHANCED MONITORING LIKE GPS TRACKING. RISK ASSESSTMENTS FOR OFFENDERS BEFORE SENTENCING SO JUDGES CAN BETTER EVALUATE ALTERNATIVES NON VIOLENT CRIMINALS. AND MORE TREATMENT SERVICES. SOME SAY THAT COULD STAVE OFF HAVING TO BUILD A NEW PRISON COSTING 150 MILLION DOLLARS.( Jim Vokal: We can not brick and mortar ourselves our this criminal justice predicament. ) A RECENT REPORT CO- FUNDED BY THE PLATTE INSTITUTE AND THE HOLLAND CHILDREN'S MOVEMENT. INDICATES STATE'S LIKE TEXAS HAVE REDUCED COSTS AND REPEAT OFFENDERS BY USING JAIL ALTERNATIVES AND IMPROVING SUPPORT FOR INMATES. FOR INSTANCE IT RIGHT COSTS NEBRASKA NEARLY 36 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO HOUSE AN INMATE.. BUT ONLY 3 THOUSAND TO PUT THEM THROUGH A DRUG COURT.( Marc Levin: We could do things more cost effectively in the corrections system get better results for public safety. ) OMAHA'S POLICE CHIEF SUPPORTS THE IDEA OF BETTER MONITORING AND SUPERVISON OF RECENTLY RELEASED INMATES.( Todd Schmaderer: Studies have shown if offenders are going to recitvate they are going to do it in the first 90 days. ) AT A HEARING THURSDAY THE FAMILY OF MURDER VICTIM ANDREA KRUGER... HER UNCLE TOLD THE COMMITTEE THE BILLS DON'T GO FAR ENOUGH IN HOLDING OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE OR ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY. BUT SUPPORTERS SAYS THIS IS JUST A START.( Ashford: We will be helping our inmates transition. but most importantly we will be keeping our state safer. ) IN LINCOLN ANDRE OZAKI KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN. COST FOR THE ASHFORDS BILLS WOULD BE AN ESTIMATED 25- MILLION DOLLARS MORE A YEAR.